By Uzma Ehtasham
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah told the provincial assembly that Pakistan’s armed forces deserve full tribute for their performance in recent regional tensions, while delivering a sharply worded critique of India.
Presenting a resolution in the Sindh Assembly linked to what he described as “Operation Haq”, he praised the Pakistan Army and paid homage to martyrs, saying the house stands in solidarity with the country’s security forces.
Referring to India’s nuclear history, he said New Delhi had conducted its first nuclear test in 1974 and a second in 1998, while accusing it of repeatedly engaging in what he called “false flag operations”. He alleged that civilians were targeted in such incidents, including the Pahalgam episode, which he said resulted in civilian casualties.
Turning to air power, Murad Ali Shah said the French-made Dassault Rafale was a “good aircraft”, but added that it requires courage and resolve to operate effectively. He claimed Pakistani pilots had shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including Rafales, during recent confrontations, and said Pakistan’s response was swift and limited in duration.
He also said Indian drones had reached areas near Karachi but were intercepted, claiming that dozens were shot down by Pakistani forces. These assertions could not be independently verified.
The chief minister criticized Indian media for what he described as propaganda and said attempts were being made to distort facts around military developments. His remarks come amid heightened rhetoric between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with both sides frequently exchanging claims over aerial and border incidents.
